Ferrer Outguns Nadal to Close on SF Slot
© Getty Images David Ferrer outgunned fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal with 23 winners to 10 (from the ground) to claim his second win at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, where he is now favored to reach the semis.
The man who once described himself as 'the worst Top 100 player in history' (read his story in DEUCE Magazine) has quickly warmed as a genuine contender for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis after consecutive defeats of No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Nadal.
An aggressive Ferrer blunted Nadal's vicious topspin forehand by stepping into the court and nailing flat crosscourt backhands in response. He made Nadal do the bulk of the running and often had the three-time Roland Garros champion scrambling back defensive slice forehands at full stretch. Ferrer also dictated play with his own forehand, hitting frequent winners to both sides of the court. (But it wasn't always smooth sailing. Nadal won Ferrer's first three service games and took the first set.)
Gasquet Ends Djokovic's Tennis Masters Cup Hopes Ferrer, who has won three titles this year (Auckland, Bastad and Tokyo), repeated his four-set victory over Nadal in the US Open fourth round, which halted Nadal's run of four consecutive victories against his countryman.
Ferrer said: "I play perfect in the third set. If I don't play perfect, I cannot beat Rafa. In the tennis, it is just one match. But Rafa is sure better than me. He's the No. 2 of the world, the best in Spanish history."
Nadal said: "It is the toughest tournament of the year, the most difficult tournament of the year. We play against the best always, every match, so anything can happen. David is playing with unbelievable confidence, moving unbelievable, his playing is crazy. Just congratulate him. I didn't play bad match. I play a good match. I fight a lot, and finally I can't win."
Monday: Roddick Rolls Russian; Impressive Start
Monday: Gonzalez Snaps Losing Streak to Federer
Sunday: Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Shanghai Opener
Sunday: Ferrer Makes in a Spanish Clean Sweep on Day 1
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